Keefe Ready For ‘Season Defining’ Stretch

The Stena Line Belfast Giants continue their four game road stretch with back-to-back games in Nottingham and Sheffield this Saturday and Sunday respectively. Heading into this weekends’ games – the Giants sit second in the Elite League standings, three points behind the Cardiff Devils and eight points clear of the Steelers, Flyers and Storm.

The next few weeks will give Adam Keefe’s team arguably their toughest challenge of the season to date with six games in-a-row against conference opponents in both the league and Challenge Cup.

The Giants are riding high with a seven game winning streak, including an impressive three win weekend last Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and Coach Keefe understands the need to continue that momentum into this weekends away games against the Panthers and Steelers.

“We need to stay in the moment,” said Keefe. “We need to build on each game and realise that we can always get better. We need to not be complacent or happy with a string of wins.”

“Now it’s a different story as we are going up against a different animal in the next few weeks against Nottingham, Sheffield and Cardiff. We need to be at our best and that is our focus right now.”

Following this weekends road trip – the team return to Nottingham on Wednesday for the Challenge Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg with the 2nd Leg in Belfast the following Wednesday, 7th February. In between those Cup Semi-Final games is the hugely anticipated home ‘double-header’ against the Cardiff Devils on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd February at The SSE Arena.

“The next few weeks are season defining. From speaking with the guys and watching their demeanour, they understand that. I am looking forward to it and I’m excited for these games.”

With six mouth-watering games awaiting the Giants, the Head Coach is excited for the puck to drop and get going as the team prepare for the business end of the Elite League season.

“This is what we play for – we play for the opportunity to play for trophies. The next ten weeks are going to be long, stressful weeks. Though if you are holding a trophy at the end of it, it will feel really good. We’re going to build it one game at a time and see where it takes us.”

Watch the full interview with Head Coach Adam Keefe below.

The next few weeks are season defining. This is what we play for, the opportunity to play for trophies. The next 10 weeks are going to be long, stressful weeks..though if you are holding a trophy at the end, it will feel really good

There will be no live streaming service from the games in Nottingham on Saturday and Wednesday, however live coverage will be provided from the Giants twitter and Facebook channels. Sunday’s game in Sheffield will be shown live thanks to Steelers TV – with the Official Supporters Club broadcasting the game at Odyssey Cinemas.

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